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The SEC is a wild place, with teams’ chances at a division crown or playoff berth, or a coach’s job security, can vary widely week to week. Whose stock is rising and whose is dropping this week in the SEC East? SDS takes a look.
RISING
- Nick Chubb. While the circumstances are unfortunate, Chubb is now Georgia’s unquestioned star the rest of the way. Despite getting 10 fewer carries than Todd Gurley did against Auburn, Chubb still outrushed the star junior before Gurley went down with a torn ACL. Now, the freshman Chubb will get his chance to shine as the offensive centerpiece for two more regular season games and perhaps the SEC Championship. Chubb has rushed for 815 yards in the five games since Gurley was suspended and is second in the SEC in rushing for the season.
- Butch Jones. Just a few weeks ago, Jones was looking like a member of the All-Talk first team, as his Tennessee Volunteers struggled to live up to the expectations of progress their coach set out. Since inserting Josh Dobbs into the starting lineup, Tennessee has taken off like a rocket ship. Dobbs’ performance already has people talking about the Vols coming into the 2015 season as East favorites. Things sure can change fast for a struggling program, and sometimes it only takes one player.
- Will Muschamp. Yes, the coach who was just relieved of his coaching duties is on the rise. If you watched his Monday press conference, you’d know why. Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley heaped as much praise as possible on Muschamp, and the coach showed why everyone seems to love him so much with the way he handled the decision. He’s already one of the hottest names for big-time programs in need of a defensive coordinator, so there’s no doubt Muschamp will land in a good situation — perhaps even in the SEC.
FALLING
- Kentucky’s defense. If you were ever going to buy low on a team, this is the point to get in on Kentucky. Their defense hit rock bottom against Tennessee, getting torched for 50 points in just three quarters before the Volunteers eased up on the gas pedal. The Wildcats have given up more than 500 yards in three of their last four games and have forced just two turnovers in that span.
- Treon Harris. Despite how good he looked in relief early in the season, Harris has shown himself to be just as unreliable as Jeff Driskel was throwing the ball. Harris is a combined 21-for-40 throwing the ball in three starts, and it’s clear the staff hasn’t trusted him to drop back and throw it. Watching Florida fall from ahead against South Carolina, it looked like the school once renowned for its revolutionary passing offense was incapable of putting together a successful passing play. It’s not all on Harris, as the entire offense is out of whack, but the last few weeks have dampened expectations.
- Chances in Atlanta. Missouri might have looked sharp offensively last week, but it was against Texas A&M. It’s hard to imagine the East leaders putting up numbers resembling their 587-yard effort against the Aggies if and when they meet any of the three remaining SEC West contenders (Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State). Georgia would have its own set of problems, with a one-dimensional offense that will be without Gurley. The East has been the underdog division this year, but now that we have a good idea who the teams will be it looks even bleaker.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
